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Howdy All, I would disagree with this statement. Check out this link. http://tobacco.harpweek.com/ They knew back then of the possible dangers from smoking.

Howdy, I checked that link, and I found my favorite reason to quit smoking. “By dying earlier, the smoker will lose many tens of thousands of dollars in social security and other benefits which will naturally end up in the pockets of the non-smoker. The cigarette tax is more money from the smoker to the non-smoker.” The first reason just cracks me up. I already know where my social security “donations” are going. The second is the only reason I would even consider quitting. Than again, if all goes according to my plans I will own enough land to grow my own tobacco. Needless to say if one were to check out the link, one can see easily see the non-objective slant of the site. I am sure if I read that site again that I will discover that smoking causes venereal disease.

Howdy all, I suppose you could call me a writer and an artist. I do write, but I have not yet been published. Although I sure do love to write making money at it is not a concern. I write for my sake and for no one else. My art follows a similar vein. I do nothing for anyone’s sake but my own. I do not just march to the beat of a different drum. I beat my own drum. Yes I take pride in my “low paying jobs”, because in fact they are not that low paying, and I take great pride in everything I do. Everything I strive to do, I do well. Sure I am not making millions, but I don’t really see the sense in that anyway. Not that I would mind being rich, but striving to earn more little green pieces of paper that have no real value is not my idea of a way to spend my life. I know I need those little green lies to survive in the looter society that has been created for me. (Yes I believe in the gold standard. If our economy was based on gold, or something that had real value, I might strive harder.) Money and the earning of it is not the be all and end all of my existence, simply a means to an end. I have not given up on life that is for sure. I love my life more every day. As for me being a loser, I would suppose that would depend on how you define it. If you think delivering pizza, and refusing to conform to the looter view of society as being a loser, than to you I am a loser.. I however choose to see myself as a winner. I have not had to sell out my mind to survive, and I get to keep more of my income than most people. In fact something like 60% is untaxed. (Go ahead IRS try to prove it.) More importantly I am happy with who I am, my place in the world, where I have been, and where I am going. Which is more than the vast majority of people can say. As Ayn Rand once wrote, “My philosophy, in essence, is the concept of man as a heroic being, with his own happiness as the moral purpose of his life, with productive achievement as his noblest activity, and reason as his only absolute.” Those are words I try to live by.

Howdy all, I started smoking when I was 16. I have been smoking for half my life at this point. Sure I have quit a few times, but never permanently. The subject of the smoking ban is of particular interest to me. Once again the Nanny-State is trying to put such a ban in place here. They tried a few years ago, but were narrowly defeated. Since the propaganda regarding smoking is always negative, I am sure that this time it will pass. I have already heard one of the local Fascists using my favorite worn out bromide, “We need to do it for the children”. I will not smoke in another’s house if they are non smokers. Likewise I will not smoke in a non smoking restaurant. I respect the owner’s rights in this matter. I see this not as a fight against smoking in particular; but instead a fight against the looters. The Attack on “Big Tobacco” was easily accomplished. Smoking is an unpopular, and may be an unhealthy habit, so it had few defenders. Now the case has been established that government entities can sue businesses for the supposed healthcare costs associated with a bad habit. Anyone notice the new health kick that almost all the major fast food chains are adopting? Despite its directors desires, the movie “Supersize me”, had little to do with this. Let it slip that Ronald may be the next Joe Camel and suddenly your Big Mac comes with digital pace counter. Not that that will stop them. Look at all the hoops the tobacco companies had to jump through before they were finally “made to pay”. I wonder if MacDonald’s has any internal documents that pertain to how unhealthy their menu actually is? Course I still think the looters will go after “Big Alcohol” next. They will be able to tap into that puritanical streak that lurks beneath the surface of a large part of our population. Prohibition failed, (and always will), this time they will just loot. Thanks I needed the rant.

Howdy All, I am not sure where the quote is from, though I have heared it tossed around in a few placees. It is supposedly attributed to an Israeli Security expert. He is supposed to have said, "The difference between America and Israel, is that America searches for weapons, and Isreal searches for terrorsits." Sorry I can't attribute it, but I think it makes a lot of sense. My current opinion on the state of security in america can best be seen in the early part of the movie, "Airplane 2" In one of the scenes we see a group of obviously muslim terrorists, passing though the metal detectors with machine guns and rocket launchers. The screeners let them through without blinking. The next person through the line is an elderly lady, who is immediately tackeled by security personnel.

Howdy All, I guess I am a bit confused about what exactly is meant by retaliatory force. My concern is with the concept of self defense. I have a real hard time with the concept of a government monopoly on the use retaliatory force. Do I as an individual have a right to do that? If I were to confront a home invader for example, and shoot him, would I not be using retaliatory force? The intruder has used force to get into my home, and I would be retaliating. Am I missing something? If this is not retaliatory use of force, than what is it? If it is, than how can government have a monopoly? Does this not violate the premise that an individual has a fundamental right to self defense? I am speaking in the theoretical of course. I know the laws vary from state to state.

Howdy, To be honest, I have dreaded this day. Although I knew that it would come. The earliest president that I remember is Jimmy Carter. All I remember of Carter, is the hostage crisis, and the energy crisis. Reagan was elected when I was eight. His determination, and belief in America really had an impact on me as a young man. In many ways, the way I view the world, and the way I view being an American in the world were shaped by Reagan's America. Remember Grenada? The commies start getting froggy. Americans might get into trouble. STOMP! CRASH! No more commies. Or Reykjavik? When he walked out on Gorby? My god! How the press screamed on that one! Too bad they crooks in DC eviscerated SDI. Or did they? With Black budgets one never can really tell. Course my personal fav was, “Mr. Gorbachev. Tear Down this wall”. It still chokes me up to think of it. He may have been objectionable to some, but he is still a hero to me.

Howdy, That is a very good question. I don't know what country you are from, but I too live in a mixed-economy. Although many of my fellow countrymen seem to think it is a Capitalist economy. Personally, I am on strike. I will not hold a government job. I pay as little in tax as I possible can. That is much easier as I almost always work at jobs where a part if not all of my pay is in undeclared cash. In fact I have had jobs where it was all cash. Nine months of untaxed income it was marvelous. Then the boss went legit, but at least he payed overtime in cash. It may not make me rich very quickly, and I get the satisfaction of knowing that I control, more of my own production.

Howdy All, I returned the other day from a Memorial Day Trip to my mothers house. Or as I like to think of it, my weekend with the Taliban. My mother is a devout, hard-core, right-wing, Republichristian. As is my Step-Father, my sister, her husband, and damn near every other person I came into contact with the whole time I was down there. Hell Christianity has even invaded the politics. They are currently having a republichristian primary, and there were signs up everywhere. They all had the same basic message, "I believe in God, and I am more conservative than my challenger." I gave up the whole religon thing some time ago, being more of an angnostic, but then I discovered that A = A. That and I am my own justification for existence. So I basically pitched the whole god concept out the window. My family however seems to think I am just going through a phase. Although I was shocked to see that I was never asked to give a blessing over a meal. Which had been a habitual annoyance in all my past visits. I mean really how many times do you have to say no, when they ask you to say grace? My mother has even pulled the "I am not a good mother, because my son is going to hell" At one point I straight up told her that if she needed to believe in jesus to get through her day, that was fine. I however just believe in me. I swear they just don't get it. It is as if they cannot fathom there not being a god. Anyway, thanks for the Rant.

Howdy All, I have never been able to finish a single semester of college. Two seperate times once at 18, and once at 25 I attempted to get a college degree. Both times I could not tolerate nor stomach the propaganda that was bombarding me. I have done pretty damn good for myself without a degree, but at times I wonder if I am really missing out. It is not as though I am uneducated. I have educated myself about a good many things. I just don't have the piece of paper. I guess my question is for those who were or are Objectivists in college. Quite simply, how do you do it? How do you stomach the looter bullsh*t that seems to be infecting all the major colleges? OR should I not bother, and just continue my education on my own?

Howdy all, I know this may seem like a strange thing to ask. Let me begin by explaining that I live in Columbus, OH, and I sling pizza for a living. In my job, I deliver to all sorts of people. From the very rich to the very poor. Furthermore, we have a fairly diverse population here in Columbus, so I see people from all parts of the world. The other day I delivered pizza to a couple of middle eastern looking men. The language barrier was a bit of a problem, but the tip was good so I thought little of it. That is I thought little of it until I saw the photo's that Asscroft released the other day. I know how untrustworthy eyewitnesses can be. I am sure Rationalcop will back me up on that. However, the two guys I saw in that apartment, looked amazingly like a couple of the guys in the photos. Course the guys I saw were clean shaven, unlike the photos. On the one hand, I hate informers. I would feel horrible if I dropped a dime on a couple of guys that have moved here to pursue the same freedom that I do. Especially with all the questionable treatment of detained persons. On the other hand, I will feel pretty damn stupid to find out that I could have stopped two enemies of freedom, and rationality, but did not. I guess I would just like to hear some comments on this. I hope like hell I am not being too paranoid.

Howdy All, Before I discovered Objectivism, I had already reconcilled my views on these two issues. I found it hard to justify being pro-life, and then to support capital punishment. In my own pursuit of reason, and rationality in this insane world we live in, I had finally settled the arguement. I even took to calling it the "Pro-Death" stance. This not only includes abortion, and the death penalty. It also includes my views on assisted suicide. It seems to me that to be consistent, one should be either pro-life. No abortion, No death penalty, no assisted suicide, no meat, no animal research, etc... Or one should be Pro-death. Being the opposite of the above. To be consitent in my beliefs I choose the latter of the two. When I discovered Rand, I realized that the individual could and should be paramount. I have since taking to calling the opposing views, as Pro Freedom (Pro-death), and Anti Freedom (Pro-life) As an aside, I will attempt to quote Ron White from the Blue Collar Comedy tour. "In Texas if you are found guilty of murder and there are three credible witnesses we will kill you back." Personally I think we ought to bring back the hanging tree. I get so tired of hearing about criminals that are going to jail for their third or fourth murder. If an animal is a threat to humans we kill it. Why not if a human is a threat to other humans?

Well, Mr. Moore had best be ware, lest he runs into me in a dark alley. He is perhaps the leading collectivist Toohey at the moment. Moore is the poster boy for the anti-America, anti-freedom, wackos that seem to be gaining ground in our country. It takes all my rationality, and all my restraint to not want to put a bullet in his ass. Not that I ever would, but it is fun to daydream about.

Howdy All, It would appear to me from my reading of American history that the 10th Amendment died on April 9th, 1865. In my opinion the 10th amendment is the key issue of the American Civil War. I will not debate the issue of slavery, as I think it is completely wrong, and the list of reasons is very long. However, the perculiar institution was constitutional at the time of the war, and as such should have been dealt with legally, and constitutionally. When it was not, it opened the floodgates for all the Federal Government intrusion into our lives that we see to this day.

Howdy All, I used to argue that America was the greatest country in the world, if for no other reason than that we have the fattest poor people in the world. Well I guess the UN has determined that the newest world health problem is obesity. Check out this story. http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=stor.../health_diet_dc

Howdy, Yeah Zulu is a great movie, one of my all time favorites. Not to bad on the historical accuracy either, which makes it even more impressive. Now Zulu Dawn, which is about the battle at Islandawana, is great too. In fact I like it slightly more than Zulu, because the British get wacked. Truth be told, if ever one day I go to Africa, I would like to visit both of those battlefields. Oh, and as an aside. The battle of Roarke's Drift is noted for having had the most Victoria Crosses awarded in one battle.

Howdy All, Thanks for the good information. I am really in the dark when it comes to the whole arena of photography. The replies are both informative, and appreciated. Thank you.

Howdy All, Next year I will be marching north from GA to ME along the Appalachian Trail. I already plan to keep a journal of my 2000+ mile walk, but I would also like to keep a photographic record as well. Most of my pictures will be taken outdoors. My question is, as a novie shutterbug; should I use a film camera, or a digital? My concerns are weight of the equipment, durability in the field, and cost. I would like to keep my purchase to less than $250 if I can. Any suggestions? Sorry if this is off topic, but hey I would rather ask rational people, than take my chances with some salesman at a store.

I am sure some "lone" gunman type would come crawling out of the woodwork at the first sign of Objectivist policies in any politician, let alone the president.

Howdy All, I think you are 100% spot on. I think it is hilarious when anti-capitalists point to American business practices, as negative examples of capitalism. Indeed they argue from a false premise. That is the that America has a Capitalist economy. The way I see it, capitalism died in America around 1861.

Howdy All, Why not? After all is that not what John Galt did? In fact did he not actively encourage it? Personally I can really see some interesting parallels between the book "Atlas Shrugged", and the current moment in history.

Howdy All, Great Discussion. It would seem to me that marriage (from the point of view of the state), is a contractual agreement between two conscenting adults. Dealing primary with the property rights issues. There are agreeing to share their resources. How exactly they share is based upon the contract. Prenuptual agreements and the like. Now what some mystic has to say is something else entirely. He might say that it had to be a contract between a man and a woman. Perhaps women depending on which "word of god" he quotes. For that matter it might require some sort of formalization of the contract in a church by the mystic for a donation of course. The problem lies in that many of our laws, pertaining to this specific contract, are biased by the religous influence on them. If we can modify the law, or pass new law that will remove the mystical influences, it would seem to be a good thing. Than again. The fact that we have government intrusion into one of the most basic of our human rights, i.e. The Right to Trade, is what is really at the core here. Since the right to trade is the key to any contract. I listen to a lot of talk radio, and the conservatives crack me up about this issue. The seem to always focus in on the supposed benefits to homosexual couples. What kills me is that no one seems to think of the downside to entering into a contract such as a marriage. It can be very difficult, and or, costly if that contract is breached. Having witnessed my parents divorce, and my roomate's dealings with her ex-husband, I would say that marriage is definetly not to be entered into lightly. Just strikes me as odd that so little is said of that. If I were a lawyer, I would brush up on my divorce law. Thanks for the rant. As for me, I am not to worried. I am just going to wait for the lights to go out. Kerry for President!

Howdy All, I thought that the "I was following orders" defense was pretty much killed at Nurnberg. There is no excuse for following an unlawful order. If memory serves, (and it sometimes does not), the Army code of conduct is pretty clear on the issue of unlawful orders.

Howdy All, I think it is very interesting to debate/defend the current canidates in our upcoming elections. How can we expect either canidate to act with reason, when both political parties are based on irrationality. The way I see it Kerry would be the better choice for President. For no other reason than he will drive America into the ground. When the American economy collapses, so goes the rest of the world. Things will only get better when the lights go out.

Howdy All, My name is Rob, and I currently reside in Columbus, Ohio. Where the Republichristians act like they are Dipsh*tocrats, and the Dipsh*tocrats act like looter-freaks. I stumbled onto Ayn Rand around three years ago. My political conscience had fallen in line with the "Conservative" side of American politics. My fundemental beliefs did not completely fall into line with them, but they were a far cry closer than the oft times blatant socialism of the "Liberal" side. I even for a while called myself "Social Liberal, and Politically Conservate". Well then this girlfriend of mine recommened I read, "The Fountainhead". Then her mother recommened it as well. Now I had seen these two ladies devour stacks of romance novels, so I was really hesitant. One day I was in dire need of "reading" materials, and it was all that was available. I was hooked. I finished it two weeks later. Often I would reread whole chapters just to make sure I did not miss anything. Next I read Anthem, and by the time I got to Atlas Shrugged, I was addicted. The more I read, the more I realized, that there is a way that makes sense. No more trying to describe myself from two different groups. Here was one cohesive mindset without the need of any mental gymnastics. Anyway, that is me. At least in a litte part. I said all that to say this. Check out what happened in India today: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=stor...id=516&ncid=716 Pretty interesting story really. The thing I thought was most interesting, was the peasants supporting secularism. Sort of goes against the pattern. Rob